Word Origin & History

the modern verb is a merger of two related Old English words, in both of which the first letters sometimes switched places. The first is intransitive rinnan, irnan "to run, flow, run together" (past tense ran, past participle runnen), cognate with (cf. Middle Dutch runnen, Old Saxon, Old High German, Gothic rinnan, German rinnen "to flow, run").

The second is Old English transitive weak verb ærnan, earnan "ride, run to, reach, gain by running" (probably a metathesis of *rennan), from Proto-Germanic *rannjanan, causative of the root *ren- "to run." This is cognate with Old Saxon renian, Old High German rennen, German rennen, Gothic rannjan.

Both are from PIE *ri-ne-a-, nasalized form of root *reie- "to flow, run" (see Rhine).

Of streams, etc., from c.1200; of machinery, from 1560s. Meaning "be in charge of" is first attested 1861, originally American English. Meaning "seek office in an election" is from 1826, American English. Phrase run for it "take flight" is attested from 1640s. Many figurative uses are from horseracing or hunting (e.g. to run (something) into the ground, 1836, American English).

To run across "meet" is attested from 1855, American English. To run short "exhaust one's supply" is from 1752; to run out of in the same sense is from 1713. To run around with "consort with" is from 1887. Run away "flee in the face of danger" is from late 14c. To run late is from 1954.

Example Sentences for runs up

She never pays any one, and runs up debts in the whole town.

"She will kill herself if she runs up the mountain at that rate," said Mary Lawson.

He runs up behind them and shows his person to the inhabitants.

Sweetener, a person who runs up the prices of articles at an auction.

Know anybody who runs up to the Varsity Shoppe any oftener than you do?

He runs up first to your rooms, very likely not yet knowing what he must do.

If it runs up and down his face dont offer it to him, for he would not take it.

Don't be afraid; if any one runs up against you, I'll knock him down.'

He who would swear also runs up to take the Bible, but she resists him too.